【医】 大响尾蛇

[ noun ]
largest and most dangerous North American snake; of southwestern United States and Mexico
<noun.animal>

Rattlesnake \Rat"tle*snake`\ (r[a^]t"t'l*sn[=a]k`), n.
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of venomous American snakes
belonging to the genera {Crotalus} and {Caudisona}, or
{Sistrurus}; sometimes also called {rattler}. They have a
series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail
which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common
rattlesnake of the Northern United States ({Crotalus
horridus}), and the {diamondback rattlesnake} (also called
{diamondback rattler}, and {diamondback}) of the South and
East ({Crotalus adamanteus}) and West ({Crotalus atrox}), are
the best known. See Illust. of {Fang}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]

{Ground rattlesnake} (Zo["o]l.), a small rattlesnake
({Caudisona miliaria} or {Sistrurus miliaria}) of the
Southern United States, having a small rattle. It has nine
large scales on its head.

{Rattlesnake fern} (Bot.), a common American fern
({Botrychium Virginianum}) having a triangular decompound
frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
from the middle of the frond.

{Rattlesnake grass} (Bot.), a handsome American grass
({Glyceria Canadensis}) with an ample panicle of rather
large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
rattlesnake. Sometimes called {quaking grass}.

{Rattlesnake plantain} (Bot.), See under {Plantain}.

{Rattlesnake root} (Bot.), a name given to certain American
species of the composite genus {Prenanthes} ({Prenanthes
alba} and {Prenanthes serpentaria}), formerly asserted to
cure the bite of the rattlesnake. Called also {lion's
foot}, {gall of the earth}, and {white lettuce}.

{Rattlesnake's master} (Bot.)
(a) A species of Agave ({Agave Virginica}) growing in the
Southern United States.
(b) An umbelliferous plant ({Eryngium yucc[ae]folium}) with
large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
(c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris
squarrosa}).

{Rattlesnake weed} (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
{Hieracium} ({Hieracium venosum}); -- probably so named
from its spotted leaves. See also {Snakeroot}.